Stratum Filly Wins G2 Karrakatta Plate
Pint-sized Stratum filly Lucy Mae has a heart as big as herself, after looking beaten on the home turn she fought like a tiger the length of the Ascot straight to claim victory in Saturday’s $500,000 Group II Karrakatta Plate (1200m).
Jockey Shaun McGruddy positioned Lucy Mae outside of the leader, Achernar Star, but she was under pressure turning from home.
With Achernar Star fighting on bravely, the pair looked likely to be swamped in the closing stages, but Lucy Mae clung to a long head advantage.
Winner of the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) at Pinjarra in February, Lucy Mae finished second to Kiss Bang Love in the Group III Gimcrack Stakes at Ascot at her most recent start.
Her overall record advances to two wins and two seconds from five starts with earnings of $495,298.
It was the second win in the race, 29 years apart, for trainer Ted Martinovich, after Hold That Smile in 1988.
“Unbelievable, there’s nothing of her, have a look at her, all guts she is,” Martinovich said.
“She looked to be beaten five times but she just kept going and going, she’s got some guts about her, no doubt about that.
“She doesn’t need a lot of work because there’s not much of her, but she’s going really well.”
Purchased by part-owner Martin Epis for $80,000 from the Scenic Lodge draft at the 2016 Magic Millions Perth Yearling sale, Lucy Mae is the ninth foal and fourth winner out of the Scenic (IRE) mare Razzia, a full sister four-time Group I winner Universal Prince and Group I SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes winner Universal Queen.
Lucy Mae becomes the 34th stakes winner for our much missed olden Slipper winner Stratum who is having his most successful season.
Currently the seventh leading sire in the nation, Stratum has a select group of six yearlings heading to the Easter Yearling sale (View them here).